Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma

The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor also serves as the President of the Oklahoma Senate, and may cast the tie breaking votes in that chamber.

The 15th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is Jari Askins. Her first full term began on January 8, 2007, replacing Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin who is the Representative of Oklahoma's 5th congressional district. Askins was appointed effective December 31, 2006 to fill the unexpired term of outgoing Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin who resigned early in order to be sworn in to Congress.

History

The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma traces its history back to the pre-state era of Oklahoma Territory. Though there was no office title the “Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma Territory,” there was a Secretary of Oklahoma Territory which served as the immediate successor should the Governorship of Oklahoma Territory become vacant. This power was exercised twice in the Territory’s history: when Secretary Robert Martin replaced Governor George Washington Steele, and again when Secretary William C. Grimes replaced Governor William Miller Jenkins. Aside from its succession function, the Secretary would serve as a chief aid to the Governor.

When the Oklahoma Constitution was adopted in 1907, the office of Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma was created. Though based on the idea of the Territorial Secretary, the Lieutenant Governor followed suit of the other state Lieutenant Governors and was modeled after the Vice President of the United States. The authors of the Oklahoma Constitution placed the Lieutenant Governor as the ex officio President of the Oklahoma Senate. This allowed the Lieutenant Governor, the second-ranking executive branch official, considerable legislative power. However, the Lieutenant Governor could only vote in order to break a tie.

Though in the early years of Oklahoma’s history the Lieutenant Governor played a large role in crafting legislation, in more recent years, that role has shifted to the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, the Senate’s number two. This has not been due to any law or court ruling, but simply as a matter of fact. Instead, Governors have tended to appoint their Lieutenants as the head of a board, agency, or commission within the executive branch. This has transformed the Lieutenant Governor into something of what the Territorial Secretary was: a chief aid to the Governor with powers and responsibilities determined by the Governor.

Constitutional requirements

To hold the office, the Lieutenant Governor must satisfy the same constitutional qualifications as the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor must be a citizen of the State of Oklahoma, at least thirty-one years of age and a resident of the United States for ten years.

Election

The Lieutenant Governor is elected directly by the people of Oklahoma.

Elections for the Lieutenant Governor are held on a four year basis, just as is the case with election of the Governor. However, the Governor and Lieutenant are elected on separate ballots. This presents a chance that both Governor and Lieutenant Governor may represent different political parties, as was the case from 2003 to 2007 when Democratic Governor Brad Henry and Republican Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin were in office.

Term(s) of Office

The Lieutenant Governor’s term last for four years and runs coequal with the term of the Governor, beginning on the first Monday in January following the election. While the Oklahoma Constitution places limits on the number of consecutive terms for the Governor, it places no such limit on the Lieutenant Governor. Democrat James E. Berry holds the current record, having served for five consecutive terms from 1935 to 1955.

Powers and Duties

The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, similar to the Vice President of the United States, is the "ex officio" President of the Oklahoma Senate. As President of the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor oversees procedural matters and may cast a tie-breaking vote in the event of a dead lock in the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor also receives a vote during a joint-session of both the Houses of Representatives and Senate.

Despite a large legislative role, the main function of the Lieutenant Governor lies in the executive branch as the immediate successor to the Governorship in the event of a vacancy. In case of impeachment of the Governor, or of his death, failure to qualify, resignation, the Governorship, with its compensation and responsibilities, shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor for the residue of the term. In the event of the Governor’s absences from the State, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office, the Lieutenant Governor shall become the “Acting Governor” until the Governor returns to the state or the disability is removed.

Constitutionally, or by state law, the Lieutenant Governor presides over or is a member of ten state boards and commissions.

Oath of Office

"I, . . . . . . . , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, and that I will not, knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or nonperformance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law; I further swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma to the best of my ability."

Office-Holders

External links

* [http://www.ltgov.state.ok.us/ Official Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma home page]